Somewhere over the rainbow

Forget about home — on performance nights, there was no place like the Harry Bunting Auditorium at East Rockaway High School as the school district presented the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the beloved L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” last weekend.

The two-act show featured old favorites such as Dorothy (played by Bitsy Kuehn), who eventually realized that there truly is “no place like home;” The Scarecrow (played by Anthony DePalma) who was in search of a brain; the Tin Man (played by Neil Schloth) who yearned for a heart; and the Cowardly Lion (played by Chris Balbi) who fearfully went along, seeking the courage he desperately needed. The Good Witch of the North (played by Brianne Valgoi, who also acted as Aunt Em) helped the foursome along on their pursuit, and her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West (played by Miranda Balan) put up some delightfully wicked roadblocks for the group along the way.

The rest of the ensemble was marvelous: Uncle Henry, played by Richard Reimuller; and The Wizard of Oz himself, played by Vinny Martinez. The munchkins were wonderfully talented, as were the Jitterbuggers, the Ozians, the Winkies, the Trees, the Crows and the Flying Monkeys.

This 2010 district production was expertly directed by Pam Murano; The Musical Director and Conductor was Thomas Schloen, and the Vocal Musical Director was Dan Ezell. Shari Berman was the choreographer; Scott Gerken, Master Carpenter, and Laura Peterson, Stage Manager.